MONTY PYTHON - ECO-PRESIDENT PALIN FACES AXE

Former MONTY PYTHON star MICHAEL PALIN is under fire from his own ecological group because of his frequent air travelling.

The lobby, Transport 2000, boasts the comedy star as its president, even though he has flown extensively in the past 17 years while making his many TV series - including HIMALAYAS and SAHARA.

But group has become increasingly embarrassed by Palin's relentless airborne globe-trotting, as they are desperately campaigning for more sustainable transport - and they are considering giving him the boot.

Founder member MAYER HILLMAN says, "Michael is a lovely person but his flying means he is not an appropriate role model.

"The president should set a good example."

But although Palin has admitted to "polluting this environment on almost every conceivable carbon-emitting vehicle," he also protests, "I could no more stop travelling than I could stop drawing breath."